Dhumal rejects Sonia’s charge over central funds

Shimla, Nov 8: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Thursday accused Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of spreading “misinformation campaign” against his government during the Nov 4 assembly polls over non-utilisation of Rs.10,000 crore fund. He said he would take up the issue with her.

“I am writing to Sonia Gandhi about her misinformation campaign that funds amounting Rs.10,000 crore meant for centrally-sponsored schemes were not utilised by the state adequately,” Dhumal told reporters here.

Refuting the charge of Gandhi and other senior leaders about non-utilisation of funds as wrong, he said the state had spent Rs.16,615 crore during the 11th Five Year plan (2007-2012) against the allocation of Rs.11,400 crore.

“Our expenditure under MNREGA and mid-day meal programmes was 94.86 percent and 99 per cent, respectively. Similarly, the spending under the National Rural Health Mission was cent percent (Rs.482 crore),” he said.

“I want to know from Sonia Gandhi under what head the sum of Rs.10,000 crore which she said was not spent was allocated,” Dhumal said.

Confident of forming the next government also, the chief minister said: “The heavy turnout (73.92 percent) is a clear indication that the people have reposed faith in our government.”